Effects of Antidiabetic Drugs on Bone Metabolism

Objectives: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) is increasing exponentially worldwide. DMT2 patients have been found to be at a higher risk for bone fractures than the healthy population. Hence, improving our understanding of the impact of antidiabetic drugs on bone metabolism is crucial.

Methods: A descriptive, retrospective study involving 106 patients receiving six groups of antidiabetic drugs: insulin; dipeptidylpeptidase four inhibitors (DPP4i); glucagon-like peptide type 1 receptor agonists (GLP1ra); sulfonylureas; sodium-glucose cotransporter two inhibitors (SGLT2i); and pioglitazone, in which osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and C-terminal telopeptide of collagen type 1 or beta-crosslaps (β-CTx) were determined.

Results: β-CTx concentrations were higher in the patients treated with pioglitazone, as compared to patients treated with DPP4i (p=0.035), SGLT2i (p=0.020) or GLP1ra (p<0.001). The lowest β-CTx concentrations were observed in the patients treated with GLP1ra.

Conclusions: Bone remodeling is influenced by the type of antidiabetic drug administered to DMT2 patients. In our study, the patients who received pioglitazone showed higher β-CTx concentrations, as compared to patients treated with other types of antidiabetic drugs. This finding highlights the convenience of avoiding these drugs, especially in postmenopausal women with DMT2. GLP1ra drugs were associated with the lowest β-CTx concentrations, which suggests that these agents could exert beneficial effects on bone metabolism.